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gave me an offer but I chose Oxford are more aware of this fact, a lot It makes me richer in terms
because they offered language of the sufferings that we see today of knowledge and spirituality.
training, so that I could understand would be avoidable. Whatever Learning Buddhism has made me
better the teachings of the Buddha. your tradition is or whether you a better and more compassionate
I think language is the bridge believe in a God or not, I think you person. I have been applying
between us and the truth. should spend time learning what Dharma in my life. It helps me to
the Buddha taught because there develop empathy and understand
What key lessons did you learn is value in it. It is something that I better people’s suffering. I do not
from the course or Buddhism as cannot give to you, you have to go get angry as easily as it used to be. I
a whole? and see for yourself. I have certainly am also humbler as a person.
found it rewarding.
The first lesson is shaped by I really encourage everyone to learn
my experiences as a Muslim Thirdly, I have learnt to be brave about Buddhism, especially the non-
who studies Buddhism. I think in challenging my ideas and Buddhist as it will bring you new
understanding each other is assumptions. For example, there is perspective. In fact, I have started to
important in promoting peace. no creator god or self in Buddhism, think more about suffering.
In southeast Asia, Buddhism and which is something I could not
Islam have co-existed for many comprehend due to my ignorance. In terms of your career, where do
years. Yet, there was not a Muslim We need to accept that there are you see yourself in 5-10 years’
scholar who studies Buddhism uncertainties in life and there is not time?
and vice versa. I want to be the always a definite answer.
bridge between Buddhists and I will be returning to Singapore
Muslims. I really think there is a lot How do you see Buddhism and work as a public servant. I
of misconceptions from both ends. compared to the religion you would like to serve the community.
I am sure that what happened in believe in and practise? Buddhism is definitely going to
Myanmar and Sri Lanka is not what help because to be a good worker,
the Buddha or Prophet Muhammad I do not actively compare the you need critical thinking and
would have wanted. It is tragic and two religions. There are many there are comprehensive analytical
I feel there are many similarities differences in doctrines and systems in Buddhism which teach
between Islam and Buddhism ideologies, but the underlying about the analysis and examination
that people do not want to talk principles are similar. One of the of the Dharma. I think it is very
about or do not know. Muslims common questions I get asked is important for any kind of work that
and Buddhists need to interact and how I reconcile my faith and my you have the ability to analyse and
engage with each other in a more study of Buddhism. I would not understand root causes and how
critical and sustained way. answer this question because I do phenomenon works. Buddhism is
not like the term reconciliation very transferrable. A lot of people
Secondly, the concept of because it gives the notion that misunderstood that studying
pratītyasamutpāda or dependent there is a problem that I need to Buddhism is just about learning
origination is very fascinating to fix. I do not think there is major to meditate or shaving your head.
me. Every cause has an effect, and problem between Islam and Either of us can die any time after
every effect has a cause and this Buddhism. In this case, comparing this interview and what drives us
matrix is infinite. I have been trying is not constructive. forward should be about how have
to apply that in social work. We are we made this world a better place.
all connected to each other, and How do you find the course In this case, Buddhism has a lot to
what we do also affect each other relevant for your life? offer, for example advocating the
on a very fundamental level. If we qualities of compassion.